Enggano Island is a remote, almost deserted island where the surf is a whole different story, with a range of waves for most wind and swell directions breaking on reefs tucked inside deep bays. The waves peel left over live coral, and the setup rewards surfers willing to travel and explore. One example is the lefthander at Teluk Kopi on the south coast, protected by Tanjung Labuho to the west, which picks up any south swell and comes into its own in northerly winds, though it is just one of many options along the coast.
When It Works
The reefs draw swell from southwest to southeast (SW-SE), with south (S) swell the best match. Enggano is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, so there is a broad working window for a swell to line the reefs up. Consistency is moderate, meaning it will not fire every day but delivers worthwhile waves when the setup comes together. These are intermediate-level reef lefts, so a bit of experience over live coral helps.
Wind and Tide
Look for north (N) offshore wind to clean up the faces. The reefs can work through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Expect a fairly quiet lineup out here, a natural result of just how remote and hard to reach the island is. The waves suit intermediate surfers comfortable riding reef breaks.
Access
Getting to the waves takes a boat. Most surfers arrive by ferry and camp, then hire local fishermen to run them out to the reefs closer to the ferry terminal behind Pulau Dua. Even the occasional charter or private yacht tends to lean on local fishing boats, since navigating the reefs here can be treacherous. When conditions are calm, yachts anchor in the various bays along the south coast where some excellent waves lurk in the right conditions. Come prepared for the setting: Enggano is blanketed in dense jungle and sees extremely high annual rainfall, which makes camping a challenge for the few who make the long trip.
